O HUMBLE TOWN OF SPLENDID STAR
by Marie Elena
O Bethlehem,
do you know the One you have birthed?
Let the earth rejoice;
raise her voice in song!
For the long-awaited Christ was born of Mary –
the very woman the angel blessed.
She feeds the King at her breast,
as angel choirs sing praise,
and a star blazes above you,
O little town.
No crown for this babe
who is able to save,
and will conquer the grave someday
yet for now, rests in hay –
This Way.
This Truth.
This Life.
O Bethlehem …
your star, a royal diadem.
© Marie Elena Good, 2020
pictured words 
I love the poem. However, the star did not appear at Jesus’ birth. It appeared over a house when he was a toddler. That is why Herod killed the boys under 2 years old, and Mary, Joseph, and Jesus fled to Egypt.
Matthew 2:1a “Now . AFTER Jesus was born..” 7: “Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.” 10 ,11a “When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the CHILD with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. …” I used capital letters for emphasis.
Thank you, Sheryl, both for your kind words about my poem, and for the information.
We have taken poetic license in the depiction of our Christmas nativity scenes for many many years. You’re right that the magi were not at the manger, but arrived later to the house of Mary and Joseph. We also depict 3 kings, but there were possibly (and likely, according to some sources) more than 3. We probably began depicting 3 because of the 3 gifts mentioned. We also show camels, but many believe they would have traveled by horse. If I understand correctly, that was common for Persian scholars.
As far as the star absolutely not appearing at the place of Jesus’ birth, I’m not sure we can be certain of that. The star had appeared to the magi long before their arrival at the house. Perhaps it appeared to be above the place of his birth at that time, and then above the house when the magi arrived? Perhaps? If so, that’s cool. If not, we’ll call it poetic license. 😉